Dr. Melissa Jackson is a North Carolina native. She received a BA from the University of North Carolina, an MDiv from Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (BTSR), and a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Hebrew Bible from the University of Oxford. She was ordained to the gospel ministry by Fellowship Baptist Church in Americus, Georgia. Between her stints as a student, Dr. Jackson worked for non-profit organizations and was youth minister in two congregations. Soon after completion of her doctorate, she returned to her alma mater, BTSR, where she was on faculty for seven years.

Dr. Jackson’s doctoral research focused on the intersection of comedy and feminist interpretation in the Hebrew Bible. Her research was subsequently published in the volume, Comedy and Feminist Interpretation of the Hebrew Bible: A Subversive Collaboration. She has authored numerous articles, as well as given numerous presentations, on how reading through the lenses of comedy and feminist critique can enrich our interpretation of the Hebrew Bible. She is also interested in Hebrew Bible’s interpretation in the expressions of music, art, and film. Dr. Jackson is the managing editor of the journal, Review & Expositor.

While living and studying in England, Dr. Jackson met and married her husband who accompanied her back over The Pond to Virginia, despite assurances from the border patrol agent that she could have chosen a much cheaper souvenir from her time in England. Dr. Jackson is a member of Grace Baptist Church in Richmond. In addition to being the chair of the board for Sophia Theological Seminary, she serves on the board of trustees of HopeTree Family Services (formerly known as Virginia Baptist Children’s Home & Family Services). During college basketball season, Dr. Jackson is not ashamed to admit that she organizes all other commitments around being in front of the television for Carolina games.